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SANZAR invites Argentina to join Tri Nations from 2012
By staff writers
September 14,
2009 SANZAR has extended a conditional invitation to Argentina to join the Tri Nations from 2012 to create a new 'Four Nations' Championship.
SANZAR stressed that conditions were attached to the invitation for the Union Argentina de Rugby (UAR) to join the Four Nations in 2012.
SANZAR conditions include Argentina securing the participation of their best players to play in the Four Nations and SANZAR, along with Argentina confirming the financial model that will apply.
The Australian Rugby Union has encouraged Argentina to continue the hard work required to meet the SANZAR conditions that would allow the Pumas entry.
"To have the Pumas... join with the three top-ranked international teams in world rugby will be exciting for fans, players, sponsors and broadcasters across our four countries and beyond," SANZAR chief executive Andy Marinos said in a statement.
It is a move that would increase the Southern Hemisphere competition from nine games (where each team currently plays the other two on three occasions) to 12 games where each country would play the other three twice (home and away).
SANZAR envisages that the Four Nations would be played over eight to nine weeks, with each country playing six matches. Australia, New Zealand and South Africa already play six games each in the Tri Nations.
"Argentina has shown commitment, passion and a work ethic to date that highlights their desire to have the Pumas playing at the highest level possible on a consistent basis," ARU managing director and chief executive John O’Neill said.
"Australia is excited by the possibility of having the Pumas in a Four Nations Championship.
"It is important therefore, with a conditional invitation on the table, for Argentina to keep moving forward and satisfying the necessary conditions.
"The Tri Nations is a wonderful competition, with the best players in the world taking part.
"We need to ensure the same integrity and quality of competition is guaranteed with a move to a Four Nations Championship, and Argentina understands that.
"Australia looks forward to Argentina making further progress in coming months."
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...-23217,00.html